The Detroit Red Wings announced the signing of veteran forward Dallas Drake on Monday. As per club policy, the financial terms of the one-year deal were not announced.

Drake was a member of the Red Wings from 1992 to 1994, after the team drafted him in the sixth round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. He was packaged with goaltender Tim Cheveldae in a trade with the Winnipeg Jets for Bob Essensa and Sergei Bautin.

Drake has spent the last six seasons with the St. Louis Blues, serving as their captain for the past two years. He has also played for the Jets and the Phoenix Coyotes, after the franchise shifted there.

"We're very pleased to have Dallas join the Red Wings," Wings general manager Ken Holland said in a release. "He's a very physical player who will add grit to our lineup and make our team even more difficult to play against. He's a veteran player and you can never have enough experience and leadership on a team."

He's only $550,000. That leaves money for another top forward still. They are just using him as insurance in case someone else gets hurt. Also, Holland will save the money most likely and buy a top notch player at the Trade Deadline. Afterall, we will be one of the only cup contending teams that has good money to spend. Every other talented team completely broke the bank this offseason.